Pointer name plate for control knobs



Jan. 9, 1951 H. c. MEYERS POINTER PLATE FOR CONTROL KNOBS Filed Feb. 4, 1948 a L X My e e nmm wt v 7 t h m WA a .s H H y b Patented Jan. 9, 1951 POINTER NAME PLATE roa CONTROL KNOBS Harry G. Meyers, Schenectady, N. Y., assignor to General Electric Company, a. corporation of New York Application February 4, 1948, Serial No. 6,164

4 Claims.

My invention relates to manually positionable control knobs and the like, and more particularly 7 to readily attachable and detachable cover plates for such knobs. It is a general object of my invention to provide a new and improved indicator or cover plate for such knobs which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and readily adapted to large scale production processes.

The invention is particularly applicable to control knobs of the type which are fastened to a control shaft by an axial bolt having its head recessed in the knob. It is a specific object of my invention to provide a new and improved, simple and inexpensive, readily attachable cover plate for such recess arranged to serve also as an indicating pointer for positioning the knob.

My invention itself will be more fully understood and its various objects and advantages further appreciated by referring now to the following detailed specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a knob utilizing my invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevationin cross-section of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is an exploded view in perspective of my invention and the knob utilizing same.

Referring to the drawing, there is illustrated a circular control knob It adapted to utilize my invention. Integral with the main surface of the knob is an elongated raised portion I I having an arcuate surface. In the present embodiment, the top of the raised portion II is provided with an arcuated recess I2 to accommodate an indicating plate I3 in accordance with my invention as will be presently explained. However, it should be understood that my invention is not limited in itsapplication to a recessed arcuate surface, but is equally adapted for use with any arcuate surface.

As illustrated, the recess I2 is tapered and in conformity with this particular configuration, the shape of the indicating or cover plate I 3 is made similar to that of the recess I2. plate I3 of course can be made to conform with the particular style of knob to which it is to be fastened.

Preferably, the plate I 3 is composed of resilient metal. It is, of course, possible to manufacture the plate I3 of a plastic material such as phenol or some similar substance for use in those applications where a metal plate may be undesirable.

In the manufacture of the plate I3, the radius of the curvature thereof is made slightly smaller than the radius of the curvature of the article The form of the to which it is to be applied or, as in this particular embodiment, the curvature of the surface of the raised portion II. The wider end portion of the plate I3 is turned inwardly with respect to the arc of said plate to form a projection or ear It at that end. The ear I4 may be a projection attached to the main body of the plate I3 and if the plate is composed 'of metal can be fastened thereto as by welding, riveting or other suitable means.

A slot I5 is provided in the bottom and at the Wider end of the recess I2. This slot is disposed transversely with respect to the length of the recess. The dimensions of the slot I5 is such that when the ear i4 is inserted therein, the bight I6 and end I! of the ear I4 are caused to grip the opposite walls of the slot I5 at the points of con- .tact therewith. The aforementioned action of the ear I4 and the smaller radius of curvature of the plate I3 provide a constraining effect which causes the plate to frictionally grip the arcuate surface I2 of the raised portion II,

A bolt hole I8 is disposed axially in the knob III to accommodate a bolt I9 for fastening the knob to a shaft 20. The bolt hole is so arranged as to provide a recess for the head of the bolt.

In summarizing, my invention provides novel means for indicating the position of the knob with relation to the device it serves to control and also provides a readily attachable and detachable cover plate that is esthetic and utilitarian in scope.

The embodiment of the present invention which has been illustrated and described has been selected for the purpose of setting forth the principle involved. It will be obvious that my invention may be modified to meet different specific uses and it is, therefore, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In combination, a control knob having an elongated arcuate surface, said knob being provided with a slot adjacent one end of said surface, and an arcuate plate of resilient material having a normal radius of curvature slightly smaller than the radius of curvature of said surface and being provided with a projection at one end thereof forming an acute angle with respect to the main body of said plate for insertion in said slot, said plate being pressed against said surface with said projection forming an angle with respect to the direction of said slot, thereby frictionally to grip said knob to hold said plate in position overlying said surface.

2. In combination, a control knob having a surface subtending an arc of substantially ninety degrees, said knob being provided with a transverse slot adjacent one end of said surface, and an arcuate plate of resilient material having a normal radius of curvature slightly smaller than the radius of curvature of said surface and being provided with a turned up ear at one end thereof, said ear being skewed within said slot so as to be subjected to leaf spring pressures at points of contact with the opposite internal surfaces of said slot, whereby the ear exerts positive leverage tending to constrain the arcuate position of said plate into conformity with the surface of said knob.

3. In combination, a control knob having a recessed arcuate surface subtending an arc of substantially ninety degrees, said knob being provided with a transverse slot within and adjacent one end of said recess, and an arcuate indicating plate of resilient material having a normal radius of curvature slightly smaller than the radius of curvature of said surface and being provided with a turned up ear at one end thereof, said ear being 2 skewed within said slot so as to be subjected to leaf spring pressures at points .of contact with the opposite internal surfaces .of said slot, whereby the ear exerts positive leverage tending to constrain the arcuate position of said plate into conformity with the surface of said knob.

4. In combination, a control knob having a recessed arcuate surface subtending an arc of substantially ninety degrees, said knob being provided with a transverse slot Within and adjacent one end of said recess, said jknob being axially recessed to provide for an attachment bolt, and an arcuate indicating end cover plate of spring material having a normal radius of curvature slightly smaller than the radius of, curvature of said recessed surface and being provided with a turned up ear at one end thereof, said ear being skewed within said slot so as to be subjected to leaf spring pressures at points of contact with the opposite internal surfaces of said slot, whereby the ear exerts positive leverage tending to constrain the arcuate position of said plate into conformity with the surface of said knob.

HARRY C. MEYERS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in he file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,068,693 Newell et .al. Jan. :26, 1-937 2,339,904 Almquist Jan. 25, 1944 

